WASHINGTON – It’s 3:45 and the visceral ache in the two tones descending upon the campus of Georgetown University make one thing clear: the collective crawl towards an inevitable and painful ending has progressed another quarter of an hour. Or maybe they are funeral bells lamenting the quietus of the bright, innocent days of childhood. Or perhaps the bells’ poignant wails indicate that it has been yet another 15 minutes and she still has not called. Whatever these sorrowful notes may be lamenting, today they are taking a serious toll the Georgetown student body.

One Ron Pendleton (NHS ‘20) spoke to The Heckler about his own existential dread as the heartbreaking ring of the bells faded slowly out of existence. “I was stressed about my midterms and then the bells happened and then I was like, for what though? Our existence is so transient to begin with, why do I burden myself with such menial things?” Emily Ryerson (COL ‘22) said “The rustling of leaves sounded so pleasant, but with the bells it became so foreboding. And for some reason it’s my fault? I don’t know.” Peter Weatherspoon (SFS ‘19) reported, “The bells got me thinking of the song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” That song is so sad, man.” Powerful words from these downcast students.